US Clarifies 'In Detail' That It Will Not Send Patriot Experts to Kyiv – Lavrov

The United States has clarified through diplomatic channels that it does not plan to send American specialists to Ukraine along with its Patriot air defense systems, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reported.

“We inquired through the channels still maintained by our embassy with the Americans whether the decision to transfer the Patriot systems, considering the complexity of their use, means that there will be American experts there. They explained to us quite extensively that this is not planned, as the Americans do not wish to engage directly in combat against Russia,” Lavrov stated during the 'Great Game' program on Russia's First Channel, as Sputnik reports.

According to U.S. representatives, Lavrov noted, the Patriot systems will be activated gradually over the course of several months until Ukrainian servicemen master the technology.

It is noteworthy that modern Patriot air defense systems are included in a new package of military aid to Kyiv from the United States. The Pentagon has ruled out the possibility of sending American units to Ukraine and promises to train Ukrainian personnel over several months.

It should be recalled that early in the morning on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had decided to carry out a special military operation against Ukraine, as the LPR and DPR requested assistance. Combat operations in Ukraine have now been ongoing for 306 days.